Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail is asking community members to be respectful of seaside neighborhoods and continue to avoid coastal areas as city officials and property owners assess the damage from the storm.

“Our hearts go out to the residents, homeowners, and business owners of Camp Ellis,” said MacPhail in a prepared statement. “With our battered shoreline and the adverse effects of the jetty, this latest storm created damage I have not seen in my lifetime in Saco. While we have lost roads and possibly homes, there was, thankfully, no loss of life.”

She said the city will continue to provide information as it becomes available on the storm’s aftermath and road access.

“As Mayor, I assure residents we are doing all we can to reopen roads and clean up debris while we continue assessing the total damage,” said MacPhail. “I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Saco Public Works, including Director Patrick Fox, who was out personally monitoring the situation; the first responders working through this storm and Chief Duross of Saco Fire, who is also Saco's Emergency Management Director; and the other city personnel who worked tirelessly to keep community members in the area safe.”

MacPhail thanked Kim and Ray Smith, owners of Camp Ellis General store. Although the store is closed for the season, the Smith’s opened this weekend to provide hot coffee and food as well as a warm place to gather for residents and first responders.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.

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